ALC appoints Kirk Coningham to CEO

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has announced Kirk Coningham OAM as the new permanent Chief Executive Officer.

Kirk Coningham, who commences his role in Canberra today, was the National Executive Director of the Urban Development Institute of Australia until December 2018.

He previously headed the Master Builders Association of the ACT as Chief Executive.

Coningham brings a wealth of experience to the role having held senior positions with Leighton Holdings, the Australian Medical Association and the Murray Darling Basin Commission. He has served as a diplomat, been a Captain in the Australian Army, and occupied senior media roles within government and has worked as a journalist.

Kirk received his Medal of the Order of Australia for his work with the crisis taskforce following the bombings which occurred in Bali on 12 October 2002.

“The ALC Board is delighted that Kirk has taken up this key leadership role, and is looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow ALC’s profile, membership and advocacy activities,” said Philip Davies, ALC Chair.

“The ALC Board is confident that Kirk’s considerable experience in organisational leadership, member engagement and influencing policy outcomes will further enhance ALC’s capacity to deliver the policy framework and reforms needed to enhance national supply chain efficiency and safety,” he said.

“This is especially important as we head into a Federal Election year, and as the Commonwealth prepares the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy for release in 2019. ALC is committed to remaining the lead advocate for this much-needed Strategy, and ensuring it delivers the right outcomes for ALC Members and for the nation’s freight logistics industry as a whole.”

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr. Lachlan Benson for the dedicated and energetic organisational leadership he has provided as ALC’s Interim CEO since July 2018. During his planned acting tenure, key structural and internal corporate changes have been achieved that will allow Kirk as the incoming permanent CEO to focus on the major policy issues facing the industry.”

Benson, according to Davies, will continue to work closely with the ALC to support Coningham as he transitions into the role of CEO and meets with key ALC members and stakeholders.

He is expected to return to his strategic advisory and director work, but will be available to assist Coningham and the ALC Board as required in the future.

“I welcome Kirk to ALC, and look forward to working with him, our members and the freight logistics industry to advance a policy reform agenda that will help Australia meet its growing freight task in a safe, efficient and globally competitive way,” said Davies.

(Image: ALC CEO Kirk Coningham).

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